COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL BASSETT

UNCLAS MADRID 000990

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN UK GM SP
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL BASSETT

REF: STATE 62032


1. Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to Brant
Bassett, Professional Staff Member House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI),to travel to Spain for the
period March 24-26 on matters of concern to the Committee.


2. Embassy Control Officer for this visit is ORA Management
Officer Rose Cookman, Telephone: (34) 91-587-2373 (office),
(34) 91-562-1536 (home),and (34) 680-371-943 (cell). Hotel
reservations have been made for the nights of March 24 and 25
at the Hotel Melia Galgos, Claudio Coello, 139, 28006 Madrid,
Telephone: (34) 91-562-6600, Fax: (34) 91-562-7519. Room
rate per night (double for single use): EU165.85/$206.00 (VAT
included). Breakfast buffet per person: EU18.19/$22.60 (VAT
included). The current Madrid per diem is Lodging $227/M&IE
$116. Embassy regrets all Motor Pool resources will be
dedicated to the SecState visit on March 24 and recommends
Mr. Bassett take a taxi from the airport in to central Madrid
on arrival. The approximate cost will be EU20. On arrival
at the hotel, Mr. Bassett should call Embassy Control Officer
on 91-587-2373 to arrange for delivery of per diem and
Embassy welcome kit to the hotel.


3. Visitors are reminded that bearers of diplomatic and
official passports coming to Spain on official business need
to obtain a Spanish visa prior to arrival in Spain.



4. THREAT ASSESSMENT:

In general, Spain is safe. However, Madrid and other large
cities in Spain -- including resort/convention areas such as
Benidorm -- attract a large number of criminals and
pick-pockets and frequent incidents of crimes of opportunity
against the unwary do occur. Carry only essential items,
including a photocopy of your passport's photo page.
Visitors can protect themselves from crime by being
street-smart, alert, and aware of their surroundings. In the
event you are victimized by crime, or experience any other
security-related incident, please contact the Embassy's
Regional Security Office at 91-587-2550, or after hours at
91-587-2355. Official visitors to the Embassy in Madrid or
the Consulate General in Barcelona are encouraged to receive
a security briefing from the RSO office at their earliest
convenience. Additional information regarding safety and
security in Spain is available on the U.S. Department of
State's website (http://www.state.gov),and the U.S.
Embassy's website (www.embusa.es).

Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide
Caution issued by the Department of State. As the Department
of State continues to develop information on any potential
security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible
threat information through its Consular Information Program
documents, available on the Internet at
http://travel/state.gov. In addition to information on the
Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by
calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at
202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive
information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from
their fax machine.
ARGYROS